Anfernee Simons scored 30 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers past the Washington Wizards 112-97 on Monday night at Moda Center.
The Trail Blazers (30-39) secured their second straight win after a five-game losing streak, while the Wizards (15-52) fell to last place in the Eastern Conference. Simons shot 10-of-17 from the field, including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, and converted all five of his free throws.
Shaedon Sharpe added 16 points, and rookie center Donovan Clingan recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Deni Avdija and Duop Reath also contributed 15 points each.
Washington was led by rookie Alex Sarr, who finished with 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Tristan Vukcevic added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Kyshawn George chipped in 11 points.
Simons set the tone early with 16 points in the first half, helping Portland take a 59-49 lead at intermission. He scored 10 straight points in a 13-0 run late in the second quarter, giving the Blazers a lead they never relinquished.
Portland’s defense was disruptive, forcing 16 Wizards turnovers while collecting 15 steals. Matisse Thybulle led the effort with five steals off the bench in 22 minutes.
The Wizards had won four of their last six games and were coming off a 126-123 win in Denver but struggled with ball security in this one. AJ Johnson finished with six turnovers, while Washington shot just 30% from three-point range.
Portland moved within three games of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, with Phoenix and Dallas ahead in the standings.
